JP6787177B2 - Position information management system, output device, sound wave output control method, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a position information management system, an output device, a sound wave output control method, and a program.

There is known a position information management system that uses sound waves to provide position information for a terminal device to acquire a position.

For example, there is known a position information transmission system that distributes position information for a terminal device to acquire a position to a plurality of position information transmission devices (output devices) and transmits the position information as a sound wave signal from each of the position information transmission devices. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).

In a position information management system that manages the position information of a terminal device that acquires sound waves output by an output device, such as the above system, the terminal device is affected by sound waves in the vicinity of the output device, such as noise and environmental sound. May not be able to acquire the sound waves output from the output device.

An embodiment of the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and is a sound wave in the vicinity of an output device in a position information management system that manages position information of a terminal device that acquires sound waves output by the output device. The purpose is to reduce the influence of.

In order to solve the above problems, the position information management system according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of output devices that output sound waves and an information processing device that controls the sound waves output by the output devices. A position information management system that manages the position information of the terminal device that acquires the sound waves output by the output device. The output device includes a sound wave collecting unit that collects sound waves around the output device and the sound wave collecting unit. Based on the analysis results of the sound wave analysis unit that analyzes the frequency and level of the sound waves in the vicinity in the non-audible sound region whose frequency is higher than the predetermined frequency using the collected sound waves in the vicinity, and the sound wave analysis unit, the sound wave analysis unit is used. A non-audible sound wave that outputs a sound wave containing a first identification information corresponding to the position where the output device is installed in an available frequency band in which the level of the sound wave in the vicinity is less than the threshold value. When there is no audible sound output unit and the available frequency band, state information indicating that the non-audible sound wave region is not available for the output of the sound wave including the first identification information is transmitted to the information processing apparatus. It has an output control unit.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, in the position information management system that manages the position information of the terminal device that acquires the sound wave output by the output device, the influence of the sound wave in the vicinity of the output device can be reduced.

It is a figure which shows the configuration example of the position information management system which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the plurality of regions which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the method of embedding the identification information in the audible sound which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the appearance of the output device which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the hardware composition of the output device which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the hardware configuration of the management server which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the hardware configuration of the gateway which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the hardware composition of the information terminal which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the output device which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the location information management system which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the information managed by the management server which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing of the output device which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the image of the analysis result of the sound wave analysis part which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows another example of the processing of the output apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the processing of the position information management system which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the output control of the sound wave which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows another example of the processing of the position information management system which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating another example of sound wave output control which concerns on one Embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<System configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a location information management system according to an embodiment. The location information management system 100 includes a plurality of output devices 101-1, 101-2, 101-3, ..., A management server 102, a gateway 103, an information terminal 104, and the like. In the following description, when any output device is shown among the plurality of output devices 101-1, 101-2, 101-3, ..., "Output device 101" is used. The number of output devices 101, gateway 103, information terminal 104, etc. shown in FIG. 1 is an example.

The plurality of output devices 101 are installed at different positions such as the ceiling of the building 107, and output sound waves including identification information corresponding to the positions where the own devices are installed to different regions. Further, the plurality of output devices 101 form a predetermined wireless network with the gateway 103, and can communicate with the management server 102 via the gateway 103.

In the example of FIG. 1, the output device 101-1 has three speakers, and the first speaker receives a sound wave including a first speaker ID “SP0001N” which is identification information of the first speaker. It is outputting to the area of 1. Further, the second speaker outputs a sound wave including the second speaker ID "SP0001S", which is the identification information of the second speaker, to a second region different from the first region. Further, the third speaker transmits a sound wave including the third speaker ID "SP0001K", which is the identification information of the third speaker, to, for example, a third region including the first region and the second region. Can be output.

The first speaker ID and the second speaker ID are examples of the first identification information corresponding to the position where the output device 101 is installed. Further, here, the following description will be made assuming that the number of sound waves including the first identification information output by the output device 101 is two, but the number of sound waves is an example. The output device 101 may output a sound wave including at least one first identification information, and the number may be one or more other numbers.

Preferably, the first speaker and the second speaker are sound waves containing the first speaker ID in an inaudible region (eg, 16 kHz to 20 kHz) having a frequency higher than a predetermined frequency (eg, 16 kHz), and Sound waves including the second speaker ID are output respectively. The higher the frequency of the sound wave, the higher the directivity, and since the frequency of 16 kHz or higher is almost inaudible to humans, the sound wave in the inaudible sound region is suitable for transmitting the speaker ID or the like toward a predetermined range.

Further, the third speaker can output a sound wave (for example, voice guidance, music, environmental sound, etc.) in which the third speaker ID is embedded in an audible sound region (for example, 100 Hz to 16 kHz) below a predetermined frequency. Is. The third speaker ID is an example of the second identification information corresponding to the position where the output device 101 is installed.

Preferably, the sound wave in which the third speaker ID is embedded has the third speaker ID embedded in a digital watermark in audible sounds such as voice guidance, music, and environmental sounds that can be heard by the human ear. In this case, the sound wave in which the third speaker ID is embedded can be heard by the user 105 of the information terminal 104 as ordinary voice guidance, music, environmental sound, or the like.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a plurality of regions according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the building 107 shown in FIG. 1 is viewed from above. In FIG. 2, the first speaker of the output device 101-1 outputs a sound wave (inaudible sound) including the first speaker ID “SP0001” to the first region 202. Further, the second speaker outputs a sound wave (non-audible sound) including the second speaker ID "SP0001S" to the second region 203. Further, the third speaker of the output device 101-1 has a third speaker ID "SP0001K" in the audible sound region with respect to the third region 201 including the first region 202 and the second region 203. It is possible to output embedded sound waves (audible sound).

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the other output devices 101-2 and 101-3 generate sound waves including the first speaker ID and sound waves including the second speaker ID, similarly to the output device 101-1. It is outputting. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the other output devices 101-2 and 101-3 can output a sound wave in which a third speaker ID is embedded, similarly to the output device 101-1.

Here, returning to FIG. 1, the description of the system configuration of the location information management system 100 will be continued.

The management server (information processing device) 102 includes, for example, an information processing device such as a PC (Personal Computer) connected to a network 106 such as the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network), or a plurality of information processing devices. It is a system.

The management server 102 can communicate with the plurality of output devices 101 via the network 106 and the gateway 103, and manages the sound waves output by the plurality of output devices 101. For example, the management server 102 controls a sound wave output method such as a speaker ID and a volume output by each output device 101, and whether or not a sound wave (audible sound) in which a third speaker ID is embedded is output.

Further, the management server 102 manages the place where the plurality of output devices 101 are installed (for example, coordinate information) and the area where the plurality of output devices 101 are installed (floor name, etc.), and the output device 101 outputs. It manages the position information of the information terminal 104 that acquires the sound wave.

The gateway 103 is connected to the management server 102 via the network 106, and forms a wireless network together with the plurality of output devices 101. The gateway 103 transfers (relays) data between the plurality of output devices 101 connected to the wireless network provided by the gateway 103 and the management server 102, and converts the communication protocol as necessary.

The information terminal (terminal device) 104 is an information terminal owned by the user 105, for example, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a tablet terminal, etc., and can connect to the network 106 and communicate with the management server 102 by wireless communication. Is. Further, the information terminal 104 executes an application program (hereinafter, referred to as an application) for the information terminal 104 corresponding to the location information management system 100. When the application for the information terminal 104 is installed on the information terminal 104, it generates terminal identification information (hereinafter, referred to as an application ID) that identifies the information terminal 104.

The information terminal 104 acquires the sound wave output by the output device 101 using the built-in microphone or the like by executing the application for the information terminal 104, and extracts the speaker ID included in the acquired sound wave.

Further, when the information terminal 104 extracts the speaker ID of the output device 101, the information terminal 104 transmits the request information including the extracted speaker ID of the output device 101 and the application ID of the information terminal 104 to the management server 102.

The application ID is an example of the terminal identification information of the requesting source that identifies the information terminal 104. By using the application ID, the location information management system 100 can identify the information terminal 104 without using personal information such as a telephone number or an email address, for example. However, this is just an example, and the information terminal 104 may use the individual identification information of the information terminal, the account information of the user, or the like instead of the application ID.

In the above configuration, the management server 102 receives the request information including the application ID of the information terminal and the speaker ID acquired by the information terminal 104 transmitted from the information terminal 104, and the information terminal is based on the received request information. The position information indicating the position of 104 is managed.

Further, the output device 101 has a microphone that collects sound waves around the output device 101, and outputs sound waves including the first identification information based on the analysis result of analyzing the frequency and level of the collected sound waves. Change the frequency band to be used. As a result, the output device 101 can reduce the influence of sound waves in the vicinity of the output device 101.

Further, the output device 101 uses the non-audible region for the output of the sound wave including the first identification information when there is no frequency band available for the output of the sound wave including the first identification information in the non-audible region. Status information indicating that it is not possible is transmitted to the management server 102. As a result, when the output device 101-2 cannot output the sound wave including the first identification information due to the influence of the surrounding sound waves, the management server 102 outputs the sound waves from the plurality of output devices 101-1 to 101-3. The sound wave output method can be changed.

For example, in FIG. 1, it is shown that the management server 102 cannot output the sound wave including the first speaker ID and the sound wave including the second speaker ID in the inaudible sound region from the output device 101-2. It is assumed that the status information has been received. In this case, as an example, the management server 102 outputs a sound wave (audible sound) including a third speaker ID to a plurality of output devices 101-1 to 101-3 installed in the same area as the output device 101-2. Send control information to instruct.

At this time, since the sound wave including the third speaker ID is an audible sound, it is desirable that the audible sounds output by the plurality of output devices 101-1 to 101-3 output the same audible sounds at the same timing. This can be used, for example, when audible sounds having different contents are output from a plurality of output devices 101-1 to 101-3, or audible sounds having the same audible sound but having different timings are output. This is because it causes discomfort to the person 105.

Therefore, for example, the management server 102 includes the information of the start time for starting the output of the sound wave including the third speaker ID in the control information instructing the output of the sound wave (audible sound) including the third speaker ID. It is desirable to send.

Although the sound wave in which the third speaker ID is embedded according to the present embodiment is an audible sound, it is assumed that the third speaker ID is embedded in the voice guidance, the environmental sound, or the like by a digital watermark. Therefore, the user 105 has a feature that it is difficult to recognize that the speaker ID is output from the output device 101.

(About digital watermarking)
The method of transmitting the identification information in the voice band includes a method of transmitting the identification information in a non-audible sound region close to ultrasonic waves (for example, a frequency region higher than 16 kHz) and a method of transmitting the identification information in an audible sound region (for example, a frequency region of 20 Hz to 16 kHz). ), There is a method of embedding identification information (for example, a digital watermark).

The digital watermark used in the present embodiment embeds identification information in the audible sound region of voice information such as guidance voices such as in-house broadcasts and environmental sounds. For example, a technique called steganography or the like is used. Use. As a method of embedding the identification information in the audible sound region of the voice information, for example, there are spread spectrum, echo, modulation method and the like, and the identification information is embedded in a certain frequency range.

A plurality of constant frequency ranges can be provided in the audible sound region. For example, in the audible sound region of about 20 Hz to 16 kHz, the sound spreads easily in a general speaker, which is 100 Hz to 12 kHz. Multiple encoded frequency bands can be created.

The digital watermark according to the present embodiment embeds the identification information by giving a slight change to the voice information itself to the extent that a person cannot identify it, and is simply a technique for transmitting the identification information in the inaudible sound region. Is different.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a method of embedding identification information in an audible sound according to an embodiment. FIG. 3A shows an example of a frequency band in which identification information is embedded. A general speaker (for example, a third speaker) has a “voice frequency band” between “extremely low frequency” and “ultrasonic wave” as shown in “speaker reproduction range” in FIG. 3 (a). Can output sound waves.

Of this voice frequency band, the frequency region higher than 12 kHz has high linearity of sound waves, and is therefore unsuitable for reaching a wide range of sound waves using a general speaker (for example, a third speaker). , Susceptible to metal sounds, etc.

Further, in the voice frequency band, a low frequency region (for example, a frequency region of less than 100 Hz) includes, for example, vibration caused by operation of the information terminal 104 by the user 105, walking, etc., sound when the user 105 puts it in and out of a pocket, bag, etc. Susceptible to.

Therefore, it is desirable that the digital watermark embedded in the voice information is embedded in the frequency region of the voice frequency band of the voice information, for example, between 100 Hz and 12 kHz. However, it is necessary to consider the frequency range of about 100 Hz to 1 kHz because it is easily affected by the speaking voice and the like.

Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 3A, it is desirable to divide the frequency region of 100 Hz to 12 kHz of the voice information into a plurality of frequency bands and distribute the identification information in at least two or more frequency bands. .. In the example of FIG. 3A, an example is shown in which the frequency region of 100 Hz to 12 kHz is divided into four frequency bands f1 to f4, and identification information is embedded in each of the divided frequency bands. As a result, even if the information in the frequency band "f2" is drowned out due to the influence of, for example, a loud voice of a person, the information terminal 104 can acquire the identification information included in another frequency band (for example, f4). Will be able to.

FIG. 3B shows an example of the timing of embedding the identification information. In FIG. 3B, the audible sound is assumed to be, for example, voice guidance in the hall, music, or environmental sounds such as the sound of a waterfall or the chirping of birds. Further, it is assumed that the time for embedding one identification information in the digital watermark is, for example, about 1 second. In this case, a plurality of identification information can be embedded in the audible sound, for example, as shown in FIG. 3 (b).

In the example of FIG. 3B, identification information (third speaker ID) is embedded in the frequency band "f4" at predetermined time intervals from the time t1 in the audible sound, and is embedded in the frequency band "f2". , Identification information is embedded at predetermined time intervals from time t2. As a result, for example, even if a part of the period of the audible sound or a part of the frequency band is lost due to the influence of noise, the information terminal 104 can extract the identification information from the remaining audible sound. ..

It is desirable that the identification information embedded in different frequency bands is embedded at different positions (at different timings) in time. For example, in the example of FIG. 3B, the time t2 at which the transmission of the identification information is started in the frequency band f2 is after the transmission of the identification information started at the time t1 in the frequency band f4 is completed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the information terminal 104 from processing a plurality of frequency bands at the same time, and reduce the load of voice processing of the information terminal 104.

The method of embedding the identification information shown in FIG. 3 is an example. It is desirable that the third speaker ID is embedded in the sound wave in which the third speaker ID according to the present embodiment is embedded, twice or more, with different start times or frequency bands.

With the above configuration, according to the position information management system 100 according to the present embodiment, in the position information management system that manages the position information of the terminal device that acquires the sound waves output by the output device 101, the sound waves in the vicinity of the output device The impact can be reduced.

The system configuration shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is an example, and the location information management system 100 can have various system configurations.

For example, in the above description, the output device 101 has been described as outputting three sound waves, but the number of sound waves output by the output device 101 may be another number. For example, the number of sound waves output by the output device 101 in the inaudible sound region may be one or more other numbers.

Further, the first to third speaker IDs output by the output device 101 may have different identification information from each other, or may have the same identification information.

Further, in the above description, the non-audible sound and the audible sound are output by different speakers, but the non-audible sound and the audible sound may be output by one speaker.

<Hardware configuration>
(Appearance of output device)
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the output device according to the embodiment. In the output device 101, two curved speakers 403a and 403b are attached to the base main body 401.

The speaker 403a corresponds to the first speaker described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, and may be referred to as a “first speaker” in the following description. The speaker 403b corresponds to the second speaker described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, and may be referred to as a “second speaker” in the following description.

As described above, the output device 101 uses the speaker 403a to output the sound wave including the first speaker ID and the speaker 403b to output the sound wave including the second speaker ID in the inaudible sound region. As the frequency of the sound wave increases, the straightness of the sound wave increases. Therefore, in the output device 101 according to the present embodiment, the output range of the sound wave is adjusted (for example, enlarged) by making the speakers 403a and 403b curved. There is. The curved speakers 403a and 403b are suitable examples, and the speakers 403a and 403b may have any shape.
A microphone 404 and a speaker 402 are provided on the upper surface of the base body 401 of the output device 101. The positions of the microphone 404 and the speaker 402 shown in FIG. 3 are examples.
The speaker 402 corresponds to the third speaker described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, and may be referred to as a “third speaker” in the following description. As the speaker 402, for example, a general speaker used for in-house broadcasting or the like can be applied.

(Hardware configuration of output device)
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the output device according to the embodiment. The output device 101 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 501, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 502, a flash ROM (Read Only Memory) 503, a wireless communication unit 504, a sound processing unit 505, a microphone unit 506, and an amplification unit A507-. 1. It has an amplification unit B507-2, a speaker A508-1, a speaker B508-2, an amplification unit C509, a speaker C510, a bus 511, and the like.

The CPU 501 is an arithmetic unit that realizes each function of the output device 101 by executing a program for the output device 101 stored in the flash ROM 503 or the like. The RAM 502 is a volatile memory used as a work area or the like of the CPU 501. The flash ROM 503 is a non-volatile memory that stores various information such as a program for the output device 101, an output device ID that is identification information of the output device 101, and the above-mentioned first to third speaker IDs.

The wireless communication unit 504 is a wireless communication device for performing wireless communication with the gateway 103, and includes, for example, a transmission / reception circuit, an antenna, a control circuit, and the like. In the present embodiment, the wireless communication unit 504 applies a wireless unit of various wireless communication methods such as a wireless LAN, Zigbee (registered trademark), or a specific power saving radio (IEEE802.15.4g) in the 920 MHz band. be able to.

According to the control of the CPU 501, the sound wave processing unit 505 performs various sound wave processing such as a process of generating a sound wave including a speaker ID and an analysis of the sound wave acquired by the microphone unit 506. For example, the sound wave processing unit 505 generates sound waves including the speaker ID in a non-audible sound region of, for example, 16 kHz or more in the voice frequency band under the control of the CPU 501.

In the present embodiment, the specific sound wave data transfer method is not particularly limited, but for example, known modulation such as FSK (Frequency Shift Keying) or PSK (Phase Shift Keying) is performed on a sound wave having a predetermined frequency. Information can be transmitted using.

Alternatively, the data transfer method using sound waves may be one that represents a digital value of "1" / "0" by turning on / off a sound wave of a predetermined frequency (for example, 19 kHz). In this case, the information terminal 104 that has received the sound wave can acquire the information included in the sound wave by, for example, determining the presence or absence of a predetermined frequency at a predetermined sampling rate.

The sound wave processing unit 505 may be realized by an integrated circuit or the like for voice processing, or may be realized by a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) or the like. Alternatively, the sound wave processing unit 505 may be realized by a program executed by the CPU 501.

The microphone unit 506 includes a sound collecting element such as a microphone 404. The microphone unit 506 converts the sound wave acquired by the microphone 404 or the like into an electric signal.

The amplification unit A507-1 is a sound wave amplifier that amplifies the sound wave signal output to the speaker A508-1. The amplification unit B507-2 is a sound wave amplifier that amplifies the sound wave signal output to the speaker B508-2. The number of amplification units A507-1 and amplification unit B507-2 is an example.

The speaker A508-1 is a speaker that converts a sound wave signal output from the amplification unit A507-1 into a sound wave and outputs the sound wave. The speaker A508-1 corresponds to the first speaker described in FIGS. 1 to 3 and the speaker 403a in FIG. 4, and may be referred to as a “first speaker” in the following description.

The speaker B508-2 is a speaker that converts a sound wave signal output from the amplification unit B507-2 into a sound wave and outputs the sound wave. The speaker B508-2 corresponds to the second speaker described in FIGS. 1 to 3 and the speaker 403b in FIG. 4, and may be referred to as a “second speaker” in the following description.

The amplification unit C509 is a sound wave amplifier that amplifies the sound wave signal output to the speaker C510. The speaker C510 is a speaker that converts a sound wave signal output from the amplification unit C509 into sound waves and outputs the sound waves. The speaker C510 corresponds to the third speaker described in FIGS. 1 to 3 and the speaker 402 of FIG. 4, and may be referred to as a "third speaker" in the following description.

The bus 511 is connected to each of the above components and transmits an address signal, a data signal, various control signals, and the like.

(Hardware configuration of management server)
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the management server according to the embodiment. The management server 102 has a general computer configuration, for example, CPU601, RAM602, ROM603, storage unit 604, external I / F (Interface) unit 605, input unit 606, display unit 607, network I /. Includes F section 608, bus 609, and the like.

The CPU 601 is an arithmetic unit that realizes each function of the management server 102 by reading a program or data stored in a ROM 603, a storage unit 604, or the like on the RAM 602 and executing processing. The RAM 602 is a volatile memory used as a work area or the like of the CPU 601. The ROM 603 is a non-volatile memory that can hold programs and data even when the power is turned off.

The storage unit 604 is, for example, a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive), and stores an OS (Operation System), an application program, various data, and the like.

The external I / F unit 605 is an interface with an external device. The external device includes, for example, a recording medium 610 and the like. The management server 102 can read and / or write to the recording medium 610 via the external I / F unit 605. The recording medium 610 includes, for example, an optical disk, a magnetic disk, a memory card, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, and the like. Further, by storing a predetermined program in the recording medium 610 and installing the program stored in the recording medium 610 on the management server 102 via the external I / F unit 605, the management server 102 installs the predetermined program. Can be executed.

The input unit 606 is an input device used for inputting each operation signal to the management server 102 such as a pointing device such as a mouse and a keyboard. The display unit 607 is a display device such as a display that displays a processing result or the like by the management server 102.

The network I / F unit 608 is a communication interface such as a wired / wireless LAN for connecting the management server 102 to the network 106. The management server 102 can perform data communication with other devices via the network 106 via the network I / F unit 608.

The bus 609 is connected to each of the above components and transmits an address signal, a data signal, various control signals, and the like.

(Gateway hardware configuration example)
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the gateway according to the embodiment. The gateway 103 includes, for example, a CPU 701, a RAM 702, a ROM 703, a wireless communication unit 704, a network I / F unit 705, and a bus 706.

The CPU 701 is an arithmetic unit that realizes each function of the gateway 103 by executing a program stored in the ROM 703 or the like. The RAM 702 is a volatile memory used as a work area or the like of the CPU 701. The ROM 703 is a non-volatile memory that stores programs and the like of the gateway 103. The ROM 703 may be, for example, a rewritable non-volatile memory such as a flash ROM or an EEPROM.

The wireless communication unit 704 is, for example, a wireless communication device for performing wireless communication by the same wireless communication method as the wireless communication unit 504 of the output device 101 described above, and includes, for example, a transmission / reception circuit, an antenna, a control circuit, and the like.

The network I / F unit 705 is a communication interface such as a wireless / wired LAN that connects the gateway 103 to the network 106.

The bus 706 is connected to each of the above components and transmits an address signal, a data signal, various control signals, and the like.

(Hardware configuration of information terminal)
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the information terminal according to the embodiment. The information terminal 104 has a general computer configuration, for example, CPU801, RAM802, ROM803, storage unit 804, communication I / F unit 805, microphone unit 806, speaker unit 807, display input unit 808, and Includes bus 809 and the like.

The CPU 801 is an arithmetic unit that realizes each function of the information terminal 104 by reading a program or data stored in a ROM 803, a storage unit 804, or the like on the RAM 802 and executing processing. The RAM 802 is a volatile memory used as a work area or the like of the CPU 801. The ROM 803 is a non-volatile memory that can hold programs and data even when the power is turned off.

The storage unit 804 is, for example, a storage device such as an HDD, SSD, or flash ROM, and stores an OS, an application program, various data, and the like.

The communication I / F unit 805 is a communication interface that supports mobile communication networks such as 3G (3rd. Generation) and LTE (Long Term Evolution), and communication methods such as wireless LAN. The information terminal 104 connects to the network 106 via the communication I / F unit 805 and performs data communication with the management server 102 and the like.

The microphone unit 806 includes a sound collecting element such as a microphone. The microphone unit 806 converts the sound wave acquired by a microphone or the like into a sound wave signal. Microphones provided in recent smartphones and the like can collect sound waves of up to 20 kHz, more preferably about 24 kHz. Therefore, the microphone unit 806 can suitably acquire inaudible sound having a high frequency of, for example, 16 kHz or more, which is included in the sound wave output from the output device 101.

The speaker unit 807 includes a sound wave output element such as a speaker. The speaker unit 807 converts the sound wave signal into sound waves by a speaker or the like and outputs the sound waves.

The display input unit 808 includes, for example, a display element such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and an input element such as a touch panel, receives an input operation by a user, and displays by a program executed by the information terminal 104. Display the screen.

The bus 809 is connected to each of the above components and transmits an address signal, a data signal, various control signals, and the like.

<Functional configuration>
(Functional configuration of output device)
FIG. 9 is a functional configuration diagram of the output device according to the embodiment. In FIG. 9, it is assumed that the output devices 101-2 and 101-3 have the same functional configuration as the output device 101-1.

The output device 101 includes a communication unit 901, an inaudible sound output unit 902, a sound wave collection unit 903, a sound wave analysis unit 904, a judgment unit 905, a detection unit 906, an output control unit 907, an audible sound output unit 908, and a storage unit 909. Has.

The communication unit 901 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the wireless communication unit 504 of FIG. 5 and the CPU 501 of FIG. 5, is connected to the wireless network provided by the gateway 103, and is connected to the management server via the gateway 103. Communicate with 102.

The non-audible sound output unit 902 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 501 of FIG. 5, a sound wave processing unit 505, an amplification unit A507-1, an amplification unit B507-2, a speaker A508-1, a speaker B508-2, and the like. The speaker. The non-audible sound output unit 902 transmits a sound wave including the first identification information corresponding to the position where the output device 101 is installed to a predetermined frequency band in a non-audible sound region having a frequency higher than a predetermined frequency (for example, 16 kHz). Output with.

For example, the non-audible sound output unit 902 outputs a sound wave (non-audible sound) including the first speaker ID by using the first speaker (speaker A508-1), and outputs a sound wave including the second speaker ID (non-audible sound). The inaudible sound wave) is output by using the second speaker (speaker A508-2).

The non-audible sound output unit 902 may output at least one sound wave including the first identification information (for example, a sound wave including the first speaker ID), and the second and subsequent first sound waves may be output. A sound wave containing the identification information of (for example, a sound wave including a second speaker ID) is optional.

The sound wave collecting unit 903 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the microphone unit 506 of FIG. 5 and the CPU 501 of FIG. 5, and collects sound waves around the output device 101 using the microphone unit 506.

Preferably, the sound wave collecting unit 903 collects sound waves in the vicinity of the output device 101 when the inaudible sound wave output unit 902 does not output the sound wave including the first identification information. For example, in the sound wave collecting unit 903, when the non-audible sound output unit 902 intermittently transmits the sound wave containing the first identification information at a predetermined cycle, the period during which the sound wave containing the first identification information is not output. In addition, the sound waves around the output device 101 are collected. Alternatively, when the non-audible sound output unit 902 continuously transmits the sound wave including the first identification information, the sound wave collection unit 903 temporarily stops the sound wave including the first identification information. Sound waves around the output device 101 are collected.

The sound wave analysis unit 904 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the sound wave processing unit 505 of FIG. 5 and the CPU 501 of FIG. 5, and the sound waves collected by the sound wave collecting unit 903 are used to generate sound waves in the inaudible sound region. Analyze frequency and level. For example, the sound wave analysis unit 904 analyzes the sound waves collected by the sound wave collection unit 903 by FFT (First Fourier Transform). From this analysis result, for example, the sound wave level around the output device 101 at each frequency in the inaudible sound region can be determined.

The determination unit 905 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 501 of FIG. Based on the analysis result by the sound wave analysis unit 904, the determination unit 905 has a predetermined frequency band (hereinafter, referred to as a first frequency band) in which the inaudible sound output unit 902 outputs a sound wave including the first identification information. , Determine if it is available for the output of the sound wave containing the first identification information.

For example, the determination unit 905 has a sound wave equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value (first sound wave level) in the first frequency band in which the non-audible sound output unit 902 outputs a sound wave including the first identification information. If is included, it is determined that the first frequency band is not available.

The detection unit 906 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 501 of FIG. When the determination unit 905 determines that the first frequency band is not available, the detection unit 906 includes the first identification information in the non-audible sound region based on the analysis result by the sound wave analysis unit 904. Detects a second frequency band available for sound wave output.

For example, the detection unit 906 detects a frequency band in the non-audible sound region that does not include sound waves equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value (second sound wave level), and sets the frequency band as the second frequency band. The first sound wave level and the second sound wave level may be the same sound wave level or may be different sound wave levels. Here, the following description will be given assuming that the first sound wave level and the second sound wave level are the same sound wave level.

The output control unit 907 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 501 of FIG. When the detection unit 906 detects the second frequency band, the output control unit 907 causes the non-audible sound output unit 902 to output a sound wave containing the first identification information in the detected second frequency band.

As a result, the non-audible sound output unit 902 can use the available frequency band in which the sound wave level in the vicinity of the output device 101 is less than the threshold value in the non-audible sound region based on the analysis result of the sound wave analysis unit 904. It is possible to output a sound wave including the first identification information.

On the other hand, the output control unit 907 manages the state information indicating that the non-audible sound region is not available for the output of the sound wave including the first identification information when the second frequency band is not detected by the detection unit 906. It sends to the server 102. As a result, the management server 102 recognizes that the sound wave including the first identification information cannot be output in the non-audible sound region, and can change the sound wave output method by the plurality of output devices 101-1 to 101-3. it can.

The audible sound output unit 908 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the amplification unit C509 and the speaker C510 of FIG. 5 and the CPU 501 of FIG. 5, and outputs a sound wave in which the second information is embedded in the audible sound region. .. For example, the audible sound output unit 908 outputs a sound wave (audible sound) in which a third speaker ID (second identification information) is embedded in the audible sound region from the third speaker according to the instruction of the output control unit 907. To do.

The storage unit 909 is, for example, an output device ID for identifying the output device 101, a first to third speaker IDs, and an audible sound in which a third speaker ID is embedded in an audible sound region output by the audible sound output unit 908. Data etc. are stored. The storage unit 909 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the flash ROM 503 of FIG. 5 and the CPU 501 of FIG.

(Functional configuration of location information management system)
FIG. 10 is a functional configuration diagram of the location information management system according to the first embodiment. The configuration diagram of the location information management system 100 of FIG. 10 shows the minimum configuration of the output device 101, the management server 102, the gateway 103, and the information terminal 104.

(Functional configuration of management server)
The management server (information processing device) 102 includes a communication unit 1001, a state information receiving unit 1002, an output device control unit 1003, an output device information management unit 1004, a position information management unit 1005, a storage unit 1006, and the like.

The communication unit 1001 is realized, for example, by a program executed by the network I / F unit 608 of FIG. 6 and the CPU 601 of FIG. The communication unit 1001 connects the management server 102 to the network 106, communicates with a plurality of output devices 101 via the gateway 103, and communicates with the information terminal 104 and the like.

The state information receiving unit 1002 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 601 of FIG. 6, and the non-audible sound region transmitted from the information terminal 104 is not available for the output of the sound wave including the first identification information. The state information indicating the above is received via the communication unit 1001.

The output device control unit 1003 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 601 of FIG. The output device control unit 1003 is a method of outputting sound waves output by the output device 101 to at least a part of the output devices 101 among the plurality of output devices 101 according to the state information received by the state information receiving unit 1002. Sends control information instructing the change of. An example of the instruction content of the control information transmitted by the output device control unit 1003 will be described later.

The output device information management unit 1004 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 601 of FIG. 6, and for example, the output device information 1011 as shown in FIG. 11A is stored and managed in the storage unit 1006.

FIG. 11A shows an example of the output device information 1011 managed by the output device information management unit 1004. The output device information 1011 shown in FIG. 11A includes information such as “output device ID”, “speaker ID”, “direction”, “positional coordinates”, and “area information”.

The “output device ID” is identification information for identifying the output device 101.

The "speaker ID" is a first speaker ID included in the sound wave output from the first speaker by the output device 101, a second speaker ID included in the sound wave output from the second speaker, and a third speaker. This is the information of the third speaker ID embedded in the sound wave output by.

The "direction" is information indicating the direction (direction) in which the first speaker and the second speaker output sound waves. For example, when the output device 101 is installed, the person in charge of installation who installed the output device 101, etc. Registered by. The "direction" information is not essential. Further, the "direction" information may be, for example, information such as an azimuth angle represented by an angle with respect to the north.

The "position coordinate" is coordinate information (for example, three-dimensional coordinate information such as latitude, longitude, altitude, etc.) indicating a place where each output device 101 is installed. The information of the "position coordinates" is determined and registered by the person in charge of installation who installed the output device 101, for example, when the output device 101 is installed. For example, in the "position coordinate", the position coordinate of the installation location determined in advance is measured by the device, and the measured value is registered.

The "area information" is, for example, information indicating an area in which a plurality of output devices 101 are installed. The area is an area in which one or more output devices 101 are installed, such as one floor, one sales floor, and one room. Using this "area information", the management server 102 can, for example, cause a plurality of output devices 101 included in the same area to output the same audible sound at the same timing.

Here, returning to FIG. 10, the description of the functional configuration of the management server 102 will be continued.

The position information management unit 1005 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 601 of FIG. The position information management unit 1005 receives, for example, request information (for example, a request for acquiring position information) including the acquired speaker ID and the application ID, which is transmitted from the information terminal 104 that has acquired the speaker ID from the output device 101. .. Further, the position information management unit 1005 stores the position information 1012 as shown in FIG. 11B, for example, based on the received request information and the output device information 1011 stored in the storage unit 1008. Memorize and manage.

FIG. 11B shows an example of the position information 1012 managed by the position information management unit 1005. The position information 1012 shown in FIG. 11B includes information such as "information terminal identification information", "speaker ID", "output device ID", "acquisition date and time", "position coordinates", and "direction". It has been.

The "information terminal identification information" is identification information (for example, an application ID) that identifies the information terminal 104, and is acquired from the request information received from the information terminal 104.

The "speaker ID" is a speaker ID (for example, a first speaker ID, a second speaker ID, or a third speaker ID) included in the sound wave acquired by the information terminal 104, and is received from the information terminal 104. It is obtained from the requested information.

The “output device ID” is an output device ID of the output device 101 that outputs the sound wave acquired by the information terminal 104, which is specified by the “speaker ID” and the output device information 1011 shown in FIG. 11 (a).

The "acquisition date and time" is information indicating the date and time when the information terminal 104 acquired the speaker ID, or the date and time when the management server 102 received the request information from the information terminal 104.

The "position coordinates" are coordinate information corresponding to the location where the output device 101 that outputs the speaker ID is installed, which is specified based on the "speaker ID" and the output device information 1011 shown in FIG. 11A. (For example, latitude, longitude altitude, etc.).

The "direction" is specified based on the "speaker ID" and the output device information 1011 shown in FIG. 11A, and is information indicating the direction in which the information terminal 104 is located with respect to the "position coordinates". The "direction" information is not essential.

The position information 1012 is updated or added every time the position information management unit 1005 receives the request information from the information terminal 104, and the position information 1012 indicates the position where the information terminal 104 last acquired the speaker ID. Coordinates can be managed.

Further, the position information management unit 1005 provides (transmits), for example, the position coordinates indicating the position of the information terminal 104 to the requesting information terminal 104 that has transmitted the position information acquisition request.

The storage unit 1006 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the storage unit 604 and RAM 602 of FIG. 6 and the CPU 601 of FIG. 6, and stores the output device information 1011 and the position information 1012 described above.

(Functional configuration of information terminal)
The information terminal 104 includes a sound wave acquisition unit 1021, an information extraction unit 1022, an identification information transmission unit 1023, a communication unit 1024, a display control unit 1025, an operation reception unit 1026, a storage unit 1027, and the like.

The information terminal 104 realizes each of the above components by, for example, executing an application (for example, a route guidance application 1031 or the like) corresponding to the position information management system 100 stored in the storage unit 1027.

The sound wave acquisition unit 1021 is realized by, for example, a program (application) executed by the microphone unit 806 of FIG. 8 and the CPU 801 of FIG. 8, and outputs sound waves (non-audible sound and audible sound) from the output device 101. get.

The information extraction unit 1022 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 801 of FIG. 8, and extracts the speaker ID included in the sound wave acquired by the sound wave acquisition unit 1021.

The identification information transmission unit 1023 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 801 of FIG. 8, and receives request information including a speaker ID of the output device 101 extracted by the information extraction unit 1022 and an application ID of the information terminal 104. , Send to the management server 102.

The communication unit 1024 is realized by, for example, the communication I / F unit 805 of FIG. 8 and the program executed by the CPU 801 of FIG. 8, and connects the information terminal 104 to the network 106 to communicate with the management server 102 and the like. Do.

The display control unit 1025 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 801 of FIG. 8, and displays a display screen by the route guidance application 1031 or the like on the display input unit 808 or the like of FIG.

The operation reception unit 1026 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 801 of FIG. 8, and receives an input operation of the user 105 for the route guidance application 1031 and the like.

The storage unit 1027 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the storage unit 804 and RAM 802 of FIG. 8 and the CPU 801 of FIG. 8, and stores an application such as the route guidance application 1031.

<Processing flow>
Subsequently, the processing of the sound wave output control method in the position information management system 100 will be described.

(Output control processing of output device)
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the output device 101 according to the embodiment. This process shows an example of the sound wave output control process executed by each output device 101. At the start of the process shown in FIG. 12, the non-audible sound output unit 902 of the output device 101 emits a sound wave (non-audible sound) including the first identification information for identifying the position where the output device 101 is installed. It is assumed that the output is in the first frequency band of the inaudible sound region.

Further, the number of sound waves including the first identification information output by the inaudible sound output unit 902 of the output device 101 may be two or more, but here, in order to facilitate the explanation, the inaudible sound output unit The following description will be given assuming that the number of sound waves including the first identification information output by the 902 is one.

In step S1201, the sound wave collecting unit 903 of the output device 101 collects the sound waves around the output device 101 by using the microphone unit 806.

Preferably, the sound wave collecting unit 903 collects the sound waves around the output device 101 during the period when the non-audible sound output unit 902 does not output the sound waves including the first identification information.

In step S1202, the sound wave analysis unit 904 of the output device 101 analyzes the frequency and level of the sound wave in the inaudible sound region using the surrounding sound waves collected by the sound wave collection unit 903. At this time, an image of the analysis result analyzed by the sound wave analysis unit 904 is shown in FIG. 13 (a).

In the graph shown in FIG. 13A, the horizontal axis represents the frequency and the vertical axis represents the sound wave level, and the sound wave level 1311 acquired by the sound wave collecting unit 903 is shown for each frequency. Further, in FIG. 13A, it is assumed that the first frequency band 1312 in which the inaudible sound output unit 902 outputs the sound wave including the first identification information is in the range from the frequency f1 to the frequency f3.

In step S1203, the determination unit 905 of the output device 101 can use the first frequency band 1312 for the output of the sound wave including the first identification information based on the analysis result analyzed by the sound wave analysis unit 904. To judge. For example, in FIG. 13A, when the determination unit 905 does not include sound waves equal to or higher than the threshold value 1313 (predetermined first level) in the first frequency band 1312, the determination unit 905 has a first frequency. It is determined that the band 1312 is available. On the other hand, the determination unit 905 determines that the first frequency band 1312 is not available when the sound wave of the threshold value 1313 or more is included in the first frequency band 1312.

In the example of FIG. 13A, since the frequency f3 in the first frequency band 1312 includes sound waves having a threshold value of 1313 or higher, the determination unit 905 cannot use the first frequency band 1312. Judge.

If it is determined that the first frequency band 1312 is available, the determination unit 905 shifts the process to step S1204. On the other hand, when it is determined that the first frequency band 1312 is not available, the determination unit 905 shifts the process to step S1205.

When the process proceeds to step S1204, the non-audible sound output unit 902 of the output device 101 outputs a sound wave including the first identification information. For example, if the sound wave including the first identification information has already been output at the start of the process shown in FIG. 12, the non-audible sound output unit 902 continues to output the sound wave including the first identification information. Further, when the output of the sound wave including the first identification information is stopped (or stopped) at the start of the process shown in FIG. 12, the non-audible sound output unit 902 is the sound wave containing the first identification information. Resume output.

When the process proceeds to step S1205, the detection unit 906 of the output device 101 can be used to output the sound wave including the first identification information in the non-audible sound region based on the analysis result analyzed by the sound wave analysis unit 904. 2 frequency bands are detected. For example, as shown in FIG. 13B, the detection unit 906 does not include sound waves having a threshold value of 1322 (predetermined second level) or higher within a predetermined band, and has frequencies f4 to f5. The second frequency band 1321, which is a range, is detected.

In step S1296, the output control unit 907 of the output device 101 branches the process depending on whether or not the second frequency band is detected. When the second frequency band is detected, the output control unit 907 shifts the process to step S1207. on the other hand. If the second frequency band is not detected, the output control unit 907 shifts the process to step S1208.

When the process proceeds to step S1207, the output control unit 907 causes the non-audible sound output unit 902 to output a sound wave including the first identification information in the detected second frequency band.

When the process proceeds to step S1208, the output control unit 907 provides the state information indicating that the inaudible sound region around the output device 101 is not available for the output of the sound wave including the speaker ID via the communication unit 901 to the management server. Send to 102.

By the above processing, the non-audible sound output unit 902 of the output device 101 can be used so that the level of the surrounding sound wave in the non-audible sound region is less than the threshold value 1322 based on the analysis result of the sound wave analysis unit 904. A sound wave containing the first identification information can be output in the name frequency band.

Further, the output device 101 transmits state information indicating that the non-audible sound region is not available to the management server 102 when the second frequency band in which there is no sound wave equal to or higher than the second sound wave level is not detected.

Therefore, the management server 102 recognizes that the information terminal 104 cannot acquire the first identification information at the position where the output device 101 is installed, and for example, changes the sound wave output method by the plurality of output devices 101. Will be able to.

When there are a plurality of sound waves including the first identification information output by the non-audible sound output unit 902, the output device 101 may perform steps S1203 to S1208 in FIG. 12 for each sound wave containing the first identification information, for example. Execute the indicated process.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing another example of processing of the output device according to the embodiment. In the process shown in FIG. 14, in addition to the process of the output device shown in FIG. 12, the process of step S1401 is added. Since the other processes are the same as the processes of steps S1201 to S1208 described in FIG. 12, here, the differences from the processes shown in FIG. 12 will be mainly described.

If the second frequency band is not detected in step S1206, the output control unit 907 shifts the process to step S1401.

When the process proceeds to step S1401, the non-audible sound output unit 902 of the output device 101 stops (or stops) the output of the sound wave (non-audible sound) including the speaker ID output in the first frequency band.

The output control unit 907 of the output device executes the process of step S1208 after step S1401 (or before step S1401).

By the above processing, when the output device 101 cannot output the sound wave (non-audible sound) including the speaker ID in the non-audible sound region, the output of the non-audible sound is stopped, so that the power consumption can be reduced. become.

(Processing of location information management system)
Subsequently, the processing of the entire location information management system 100 will be described.

FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing of the location information management system according to the embodiment. This process is performed in the position information management system 100 shown in FIG. 1 when, for example, as shown in FIG. 16A, there is an interfering sound wave 1607 in the inaudible sound region around the output device 101-2. An example of processing is shown.

In steps S1501 to S1503, the plurality of output devices 101-1 to 101-3 execute, for example, the output control process of the output device 101 shown in FIG. The processes of steps S1501 to S1503 may be executed at the same time or may be executed at different times.

When the process of step S1501 is executed, as shown in FIG. 16A, since there is no disturbing sound wave 1607 around the output device 101-1, the output device 101-1 has a first frequency. Continue to output sound waves including the speaker ID in the band.

Similarly, when the process of step S1503 is executed, as shown in FIG. 16A, since there is no disturbing sound wave 1607 around the output device 101-3, the output device 101-3 is set to the first. The output of the sound wave including the speaker ID is continued in the frequency band of 1.

On the other hand, when the process of step S1502 is executed, as shown in FIG. 16A, since there is an interfering sound wave 1607 around the output device 101-3, the output device 101-3 is not possible. It is determined that the listening area is not available for the output of the sound wave including the speaker ID.

As a result, in step S1504, the non-audible sound output unit 902 of the output device 101-2 stops the output of the sound wave including the speaker ID in the non-audible sound region.

Further, in step S1505, the output control unit 907 of the output device 101 provides the management server 102 with state information indicating that the inaudible sound region around the output device 101 is not available for the output of the sound wave including the speaker ID. Send. This state information includes, for example, the output device ID of the output device 101-2, the speaker ID included in the sound wave output by the output device 101-2, and the like.

In step S1506, the output device control unit 1003 of the management server 102 is installed adjacent to the output device 101-2 by using the state information transmitted from the output device 101-2 and the output device information 1011. The output devices 101-1 and 101-3 are specified. For example, the output device control unit 1003 uses the “speaker ID”, “direction”, and “positional coordinates” of the output device information 1011 shown in FIG. 11A to output the output device 101 adjacent to the output device 101-2. -1, 101-3 and their speaker ID (or output device ID) are specified.

Preferably, the output device control unit 1003 of the management server 102 specifies the speaker ID "SP0001S" in the area adjacent to the output device 101-2 when there are two sound waves including the speaker ID output by the output device 101-1. To do. Similarly, the output device control unit 1003 of the management server 102 specifies the speaker ID "SP0003N" in the area adjacent to the output device 101-2 when there are two sound waves including the speaker ID output by the output device 101-3. To do.

In step S1507, the output device control unit 1003 of the management server 102 instructs the output device 101-3 to increase (change) the output level of the sound wave (non-audible sound) including the speaker ID "SP0003N", for example. To send.

In step S1508, the inaudible sound output unit 902 of the output device 101-3 raises the output level of the sound wave including the speaker ID "SP0003N" based on the control information transmitted from the management server 102.

In step S1509, the output device control unit 1003 of the management server 102 provides the output device 101-1 with control information instructing the output device 101-1 to increase (change) the level of sound waves (non-audible sounds) including, for example, the speaker ID “SP0001S”. Send.

In step S1510, the non-audible sound output unit 902 of the output device 101-1 raises the level of the sound wave including the speaker ID “SP0001S” based on the control information transmitted from the management server 102.

As a result, in step S1511, the information terminal 104 can acquire the sound wave (non-audible sound) including the speaker ID "SP0003N" output from the output device 101-3.

In step S1512, the information extraction unit 1022 of the information terminal 104 extracts the speaker ID “SP0003N” from the sound waves acquired by the sound wave acquisition unit 1021.

In step S1513, the identification information transmission unit 1023 of the information terminal 104 requests the acquisition of position information (an example of request information) including the application ID of the information terminal 104 and the extracted speaker ID “SP0003N” to the management server 102. Send to.

In step S1514, the position information management unit 1005 of the management server 102 stores the position information in the storage unit 1006 based on the position information acquisition request transmitted from the information terminal 104 and the output device information 1011 stored in the storage unit 1006. The position information 1012 is updated.

In step S1515, the location information management unit 1005 of the management server 102 transmits the updated location information of the information terminal 104 to the requesting information terminal 104.

In step S1516, the information terminal 104 acquires the position information of the information terminal 104 transmitted from the management server 102.

For example, in the state shown in FIG. 16A, when the output device 101-2 detects the disturbing sound wave 1607 and stops the output of the sound waves including the speaker IDs “SP0002N” and “SP0002S”, the information terminal 104 Location information cannot be detected.

However, in the present embodiment, by the processing of steps S1505 to S1510, for example, as shown in FIG. 16B, the sound wave output range 1602 including the speaker ID “SP0001S” and the sound wave including the speaker ID “SP0003N” The output range 1603 is expanded.

As a result, the information terminal 104 can acquire sound waves (non-audible sounds) including the speaker ID "SP0003N" output from the output device 101-3. Therefore, the location information management system 100 can detect that the information terminal 104 is on the north side of the output device 101-3.

The process shown in FIG. 15 is an example of a sound wave output control method for controlling sound waves of a plurality of output devices 101 in the position information management system 100.

(Another example of processing of the location information management system)
FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram showing another example of the processing of the location information management system according to the embodiment. This process is another example of sound wave output control for controlling sound waves of a plurality of output devices 101 in the position information management system 100. Since the processes of steps S1501 to S1505 of FIG. 17 are the same as the processes shown in FIG. 15, the description will be given here focusing on the differences from the processes shown in FIG.

In step S1701, the output device control unit 1003 of the management server 102 is installed in the same area as the output device 101-2 by using the state information transmitted from the output device 101-2 and the output device information 1011. The output devices 101-1 and 101-3 are specified. For example, the output device control unit 1003 uses the “speaker ID” and the “area information” of the output device information 1011 shown in FIG. 11A, and the output device is installed in the same area as the output device 101-2. 101-1 and 101-3 and their output device IDs are specified.

In steps S1702 to S1704, the output device control unit 1003 of the management server 102 is a sound wave in which the speaker ID is embedded in a plurality of output devices 101-1 to 101-3 installed in the same area as the output device 101-2. Sends control information that instructs output.

Preferably, the control information instructing the output of the audible sound includes information on the start time, which is the time when the output of the audible sound is started.

In steps S1705 to S1707, when the output control units 907 of the plurality of output devices 101-1 to 101-3 detect that the start time specified in the control information has come, the processes from step S1708 to S1710 are executed. ..

In steps S1708 to S1710, the output control units 907 of the plurality of output devices 101-1 to 101-3 start the output of the sound wave (audible sound) in which the speaker ID is embedded in the audible sound output unit 908.

As a result, for example, as shown in FIG. 18, the output device 101-1 outputs the audible sound to a predetermined output range 1801. Similarly, the output device 101-2 outputs the audible sound to the predetermined output range 1802, and the output device 101-3 outputs the audible sound to the predetermined output range 1803.

In step S1711, the sound wave acquisition unit 1021 of the information terminal 104 acquires the sound wave (audible sound) in which the speaker ID "SP0002K" is embedded in the audible sound region, which is output from the output device 101-2.

In step S1712, the information extraction unit 1022 of the information terminal 104 extracts the speaker ID embedded in the audible sound acquired by the sound wave acquisition unit 1021.

In step S1713, for example, the position information acquisition process shown in steps S1513 to S1516 of FIG. 15 is executed.

By the above processing, in the position information management system 100, for example, when the output device 101-2 shown in FIG. 18 cannot output the sound wave including the speaker ID in the inaudible sound region, a plurality of output devices 101 installed in the same area. -1 to 101-3 start outputting audible sound.

At this time, the plurality of output devices 101-1 to 101-3 transmit sound waves in which the speaker ID of each output device 101 is embedded in the same audible sound such as voice guidance, music, and environmental sound at the same timing. Output with.

As a result, the location information management system 100 can notify the information terminal 104 of the speaker ID using an audible sound without giving a sense of discomfort to the user 105. That is, the position information management system 100 can reduce the influence of sound waves in the audible sound region around the output device 101.

100 Location information management system 101 Output device 102 Management server (information processing device)
104 Information terminal (terminal device)
902 Non-audible sound output unit 903 Sound wave collection unit 904 Sound wave analysis unit 905 Judgment unit 906 Detection unit 907 Output control unit 908 Audience sound output unit 1002 Status information reception unit 1003 Output device control unit 1004 Output device information management unit

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-34126

Claims (10)

A position information management system that manages the position information of a terminal device that includes a plurality of output devices that output sound waves and an information processing device that controls the sound waves output by the output device and acquires the sound waves output by the output device. And
The output device is
A sound wave collecting unit that collects sound waves around the output device,
A sound wave analysis unit that analyzes the frequency and level of sound waves in the vicinity in a non-audible sound region whose frequency is higher than a predetermined frequency by using the sound waves in the vicinity collected by the sound wave collection unit.
Based on the analysis result of the sound wave analysis unit, it corresponds to the position where the output device is installed in the available frequency band in the inaudible sound region where the level of the sound wave in the vicinity is less than the threshold value. An inaudible sound output unit that outputs a sound wave containing the first identification information,
An output control unit that transmits state information indicating that the inaudible sound region is not available for output of a sound wave including the first identification information to the information processing apparatus when there is no available frequency band.
A location information management system that has. The position information management system according to claim 1, wherein the inaudible sound output unit stops outputting a sound wave including the first identification information when there is no available frequency band. The output device is
Based on the analysis result of the sound wave analysis unit, the inaudible sound output unit determines whether or not the first frequency band for outputting the sound wave including the first identification information is available.
When it is determined that the first frequency band is not available, it can be used for the output of the sound wave including the first identification information in the inaudible sound region based on the analysis result of the sound wave analysis unit. A detector that detects a second frequency band,
Have,
When it is determined that the first frequency band is not available, the inaudible sound output unit outputs a sound wave containing the first identification information in the second frequency band detected by the detection unit. , The location information management system according to claim 1 or 2. When the determination unit includes a sound wave having a predetermined first sound wave level or higher different from the sound wave output by the inaudible sound output unit in the first frequency band, the first The location information management system according to claim 3, wherein it is determined that the frequency band is not available. The position information management system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the detection unit detects the second frequency band in the non-audible sound region, which does not include sound waves equal to or higher than a predetermined second sound wave level. .. The information processing device
An output device information management unit that manages information about the location where the plurality of output devices are installed, and
In response to the state information transmitted from the output device, the first identification information output by the output device is transmitted to one or more output devices installed adjacent to the output device that has transmitted the state information. An output device control unit that transmits control information instructing changes in the output level of the included sound waves,
The location information management system according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The output device has an audible sound output unit that outputs a sound wave in which a second identification information corresponding to a position where the output device is installed is embedded in an audible sound region having a frequency lower than that of the non-audible sound region.
The information processing device
An output device information management unit that manages information about the area where the plurality of output devices are installed, and
Output of a sound wave in which the second identification information is embedded in one or more output devices installed in the same area as the output device that transmitted the state information according to the state information transmitted from the output device. The location information management system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which transmits control information instructing. A position information management system that manages the position information of a terminal device that includes a plurality of output devices that output sound waves and an information processing device that controls the sound waves output by the output device and acquires the sound waves output by the output device. The output device of
A sound wave collecting unit that collects sound waves around the output device,
A sound wave analysis unit that analyzes the frequency and level of sound waves in the vicinity in a non-audible sound region whose frequency is higher than a predetermined frequency by using the sound waves in the vicinity collected by the sound wave collection unit.
Based on the analysis result of the sound wave analysis unit, it corresponds to the position where the output device is installed in the available frequency band in the inaudible sound region where the level of the sound wave in the vicinity is less than the threshold value. An inaudible sound output unit that outputs a sound wave containing the first identification information,
An output control unit that transmits state information indicating that the inaudible sound region is not available for output of a sound wave including the first identification information to the information processing apparatus when there is no available frequency band.
Has an output device. A position information management system that manages the position information of a terminal device that acquires sound waves output by the output device, including a plurality of output devices that output sound waves and an information processing device that controls the sound waves output by the output device. It is a method of controlling the output of sound waves in
The output device
The step of collecting sound waves around the output device and
Using the collected sound waves in the vicinity, a step of analyzing the frequency and level of the sound waves in the periphery in a non-audible sound region having a frequency higher than a predetermined frequency, and
Based on the analysis result analyzed, when there is an available frequency band in the inaudible sound region in which the level of sound waves in the vicinity is less than the threshold value, the output device is in the available frequency band. A step of outputting a sound wave including the first identification information corresponding to the installed position, and
A step of transmitting state information to the information processing apparatus indicating that the inaudible sound region is not available for output of the sound wave including the first identification information when there is no available frequency band.
Sound wave output control method including. A program for causing an output device to execute the sound wave output control method according to claim 9.

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